Hillery Johnson

Hillery Johnson was a record label owner, record producer, manager and songwriter and vice-president of a major record American record label.

Hillery Johnsomn
GenresJazz, Soul music
Occupation(s)Record producer, Record executive
Years active1960s - 2000s
LabelsBrainstorm Records
Twin Stacks Records
Hilltak Records
Valley Vue Records

Background

In 1966, Hilary Johnson along with Leo Austell and Archie Russell founded Brainstorm Records and Productions. Later he worked for United Artists and then Capitol Records. By 1973 he was working for MCA Records where he held the position of promotional manager for special marketing. By the mid-1970s he was with Playboy Records as their national r&b promotion director.[1] By 1977 he was vice-president of Atlantic Records.[2]

As a composer, along with Michael Wycoff he co-composed "Try And Love Again for The Manhattans.[3]

In 1993, Johnson was involved in legal action against Joseph Jack Productions. He was suing the production company and its owner Joseph Jackson over money he alleged was owed to him for negotiating a recording agreement. He claimed he was owed $15,000 for representing Jackson in an attempt to work out an A&M recording deal for Janet Jackson.[4]

Labels founded

In 1966, as a young man, Johnson and Archie Russell along with Leo Austell, a veteran in the record scene co-founded Brainstorm Records. This came about as a result of the label Austell was with, Vee Jay records collapsing. Another label creation that Johnson responsible for was Twin Stacks. It was the subsidiary of Brainstorm. Both labels lasted for four years and were successful mainly in their geographical region. They did however have some real solid success. As a production company they did extremely well with Betty Everett scoring several national hits including "There'll Come A Time".[5]

He founded the Palm Springs based label Valley Vue Records [6][7] Another label he started was one he co-founded along with Tom Takayoshi, was Hilltak Records. Takayoshi was the former president of Playboy Records.[8] The Hilltak label was a subsidiary of Atlantic Records.[9] [10]

Acts

Johnson introduced the Temptations to a party crowd of 500 that included Bette Midler and Teddy Pendergrass at Studio 54 in Manhattan in May 1977. The party was to announce the Temptations leaving Motown for Atlantic.[11] Some of the acts Johnson has managed include Rene & Angela and Lalah Hathaway.[12]

References
  1. Soul Express Online THE MANHATTANS – part 4 (1980 – 1989) “SHINING STAR”
  2. The Afro American Feb 18, 1978 Page 28 National Roundup
  3. Soul Train 10 of The Best Ballads of the 80s, The Manhattans, Why You Wanna Love Me Like This (1989)
  4. Billboard Feb 5, 1983 Page 55 News Black Janet Jackson Deal Is Subject Of Suit
  5. Chicago Soul By Robert Pruter Page 247 Hard Soul Brainstorm Records
  6. Soul Train 10 of The Best Ballads of the 80s, The Manhattans, Why You Wanna Love Me Like This (1989)
  7. Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office: Trademarks, Volume 1162, Issue 2 Page 15, 138
  8. Billboard 10 Mar 1979 Page 93 General News Record Companies Rushing To Open Disco Divisions HILLTAK
  9. Billboard 20 Sep 1980 Page 28 Counterpoint Demo Bags Binder For Singing Duo By Jean Williams
  10. Soul Train 10 of The Best Ballads of the 80s, The Manhattans, Why You Wanna Love Me Like This (1989)
  11. The Afro American May 28, 1977 Records Notes Temptations leave Motown for Atlantic
  12. Soul Express Online THE MANHATTANS – part 4 (1980 – 1989) “SHINING STAR”
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